His Choice

⚜ NINE ⚜

Edited

---(Name this line?)---

⚜ Jake ⚜

Name: Allenica Jones

Date of Birth: 26th December

Age: 18

Sector: XI

Sector XI! I feel conflicted inside. I was not expecting that. I mean, I guessed that she wasn't from an upper-sector. Her mannerisms were too off for that; she also would have recognised me. I had pinned her as a middle-sector citizen. Or maybe I just hoped that?

I swallow the lump that's formed in my throat. I know I shouldn't be disappointed, but I am. Evidently this new-found infatuation is running a little deeper than I thought.

Maybe I should eliminate her to put a stop to whatever is drawing me towards her. But I can't bring myself to do it. She was so honest, so natural. Not to mention it was a breath of fresh air to be spoken to like a normal person.

I remember her concern for me. She was so genuine. Then I think back to her smile and the way she blushed when I looked at her. She was beautiful. Sector XI isn't painted in a good light. I've never been further than Sector VII (seven). Never been to the lower-sectors. But I hear stories of their brutality and hideousness. But that's not what I saw in her. She was so much more.

General Description: Tall, brown eyes, brown hair, mixed race.

I know for a fact that she isn't trying to impress me. I think she's trying to do the exact opposite. But why? If I'm honest, I'm impressed by the fact that she was the first one to hand in her profile - since it's the last one on the pile.

Hobbies: Writing songs and singing. I'm not very good at it though.

Skills/qualities: I'm still on the road of self-discovery.

I laugh at that. I'm sure she thought I wouldn't get it and be unimpressed. Nice try, but I don't think so.

Where do you see yourself in 2 years?: I really don't know, but I hope everyone I know is happy.

Why would you like to win?: I don't.

Her profile is simple. My breath catches when I read that she doesn't want to win. Why? Everyone else does. Why doesn't she? I mean it's for my hand in marriage. Every girl wants a prince and to be a princess, no matter where they come from.

Plus this would be a step up from the crappy life I'm sure she's been living in XI.

This should be my resolve to reject her. Not only is she from XI but she also has no interest in me. It irks me. She should feel lucky to be in the running.

I don't know if it's because I feel challenged by her response or because I'm still smitten after our encounter in the garden, but I stamp the paper with 'ACCEPTED'.

I need to eliminate two more and it isn't going to be her. I flick through the past accepted ones. I debate eliminating one of the other sector XI girls, but I decide against it. I don't want Allenica to feel alone in this. I know she'll be given a hard time for being from the lowest sector.

I shake my head, cursing the fact that she's now the centre of my thoughts.

After I settle on two others, I just stare at Allenica's paper, constantly re-reading it. Then something catches my eye. I turn the paper over and drawn on the back is a tree. I instantly recognise it as the lone tree in the back garden. Written under it: 'While on the road to self-discovery I remember me and my happiness'.